Observations on what makes a Summer Sing
... and what makes it successful.
Definition ~ You arrive, pay your fee, pick up your music, and you greet friends. The pianist gets your attention, the director runs a warm-up and mini-rehearsal of some of the tricky spots; then you sing the whole piece from top to bottom. You return your scores, have some refreshments, say goodbye to friends, and head home. Everyone has serious fun.
Sponsor ~ who runs these events?
- A chorus or choir.
- Individuals, typically the director/conductor.
- Organizations.
Purpose ~ amongst the reasons to run a Summer Sing are:
- Keep an existing chorus active through the off-season.
- Give an event to your community.
- Allow people to try choral singing with no threats or commitment.
- Fund raising.
- Attracting singers to your chorus.
- Entertain and involve tourists and visitors.
- Give singers a chance to try new and interesting works that may not fit the concert seasons.
Music ~ Several years ago B-H Singing did a survey of what people want to sing at summer sings. The respondents fell into roughly three categories.
(1) The standards, the requiems, oratorios, and masses.
(2) The adventurous, things new, modern and rarely sung.
(3) The love-it-all crowd who just want to sing.
Familiar music seems to attract the larger crowds; but a significant number of respondents showed interest in singing other types of music not typical of the summer sings; like spirituals, madrigals, show tunes, and male/female only material. The survey showed a strong preference for one or two larger well-known works. That makes the logistics of handling music easier too, but a mix of shorter pieces can be successful. Choruses who sponsor sings need to be cautious about repeating something they did in recent concert seasons; it can be too familiar for their own members and can make the visiting singers feel as outsiders.
Solos ~ who gets to sing them? All the options work.
- Everyone in attendance sings them, or just those whose voices can sing handle it in the original range. Many singers with "chorus voices" do appreciate this opportunity ... their only other opportunity is in their shower.
- Volunteer soloists who are brave and want to give it a try ... sometimes you get a duet or trio, be prepared and flexible.
- Director's invitation.
- Professionals sometimes get a small fee; or may volunteer in order to try out something they are studying or have always wanted to try.
Location ~ Normal rehearsal/concert spaces work sometimes; sometimes they don't. Since these are one-shot events it pays to give more than the usual attention to clustering the singers for a cohesive support, acoustics for hearing the piano and director, and acoustic feedback to the singers. Check also for summer comfort (air conditioning, fans, good cross ventilation), ease of finding the place, restrooms, parking, and being central to where people normally go.
Audience ~ there isn't one.
Everyone sings and should feel welcome to sing. Yes, sometimes people do come to just listen, but typically just a handful.
Participants ~ who is going to come?
Certainly a Summer Sing being hosted by a chorus will attract many of it's members. Yet to be truly successful the focus is beyond them. These are community events, focusing on wannabe singers and singers from local church choirs, nearby choruses, and very importantly, visitors (aka tourists) in our midst.
Timing & Scheduling
- The sings are typically held on weeknight evenings, times vary a bit depending on the community. A bit of analysis about the work, meal, and travel necessities of those whom you would attract is definitely worthwhile.
- To attract and hold a core of participants the Sings need to appear as a substantial undertaking. In short, there needs to be a series. Most in this area have scheduled four sings on four consecutive weeks. A series overcomes the perceptions of a single event being akin to an open rehearsal. The series also demands and justifies a significant advertizing effort.
Staffing ~ There is work to be done in advance and at the event.
- In advance: plan content, secure the scores, secure the space, make sure the piano is close to in tune, and advertizing.
- At the event:
- Accompanist
- Director
- Set up crew
- Refreshments crew
- Music handler(s)
- Money collector
Advertizing ~ it all depends on your goals. Depending on the old "tried and true methods" is no longer enough. Advertizing has changed greatly, people have greatly diversified their sources of information. Newspaper articles, in addition to listings in the events area. Posters work, but remember that every event uses them and almost everyone now has color printers, so what will make your's stand out? Posting on Internet based community calendars reaches some. Handouts at spring choral concerts (or a page in the printed program) promoting all area summer sings works well (requires some early planning). Flyers in local tourism information booths, inns, and B&Bs are also effective. The most direct personal contact is best.
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